Can a nikah be conducted via phone or Skype; is it a valid nikah in such case?

Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

Thank you for your question.

Nikah by the means of phone and or video chat such as Skype is not permissible.

Offer and acceptance of nikah must take place in the same geographical space in the presence of witnesses.

The alternative is proxy marriage, which is a valid method when one is not in the same location during a transaction. In such a scenario, a representative is appointed to be in the same geographical location with the fiance and witnesses, in whose presence all the proceedings of nikah take place.

And Allah knows best.

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf BadatHadith of the Day ImamImam of the Islamic Foundation of Toronto and Director of Mathabah Institute